The last three years have been marked by the combined economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Business closures, inflation at record highs, disruption of supply chains, workers and entrepreneurs haven’t had much rest.
While several signs point in the right direction with regard to these issues, we must keep in mind that 2023 will also be a year of great challenges for the Quebec business community.
Despite the risk of a recession, labor needs remain considerable for Québec businesses, at least until 2030. The aging of the population will continue to increase the pressure on workers and employers.
Without an available workforce, businesses will have difficulty remaining competitive and increasing their productivity.
The establishment of the next multi-year immigration plan, combined with the necessary reduction in file processing times, must contribute to the achievement of these objectives. Incentives for experienced workers are also expected, including the end of the obligation to contribute to the Quebec Pension Plan for them.
The digital transformation of private and public organizations has accelerated at breakneck speed during the pandemic and is also one of the solutions to the labor shortage.
On the other hand, the massive use of connected technologies creates cybersecurity challenges, as demonstrated by several high-profile cases in 2022. Companies are aware of this, but the investments required to acquire the appropriate expertise and equipment are immense.
Added to this are new obligations regarding the protection of personal information, which too many SMEs currently do not have the means to meet.
Governments must better understand the extent of the problem, by investing in bringing our SMEs up to standard over the next year, for the digital security of all of us.
Reconciling the creation of wealth and the necessary fight against climate change is a global challenge to which Québec is not immune.
Even if our green energies already allow us to stand out on the world stage, we must go further to reduce our carbon footprint.
The business community is aware of this and is already making significant efforts in this direction, in particular by developing new green technologies.
2023 will therefore be another year of challenges, but these can propel us forward and allow us to be better prepared for the new realities of our ever-changing world.
We must build a more resilient Quebec economy in the face of the next crises that will shake it, more inclusive and more respectful of our environment.
There is material to mobilize, in all business sectors and in all regions, by leveraging our creative strengths and our great capacity for innovation to make 2023 a crowned year of success.